Brush head for an electric toothbrush

ABSTRACT

A brush head for an electric toothbrush having a support structure rotatably oscillated by a motor in the handle of the toothbrush. A plurality of bristle tufts are mounted on the support structure in three ring-like series concentrically about a center point of the support structure. The bristle tufts are arranged in a unique arrangement whereby no more than two of the bristle tufts in the intermediate series and innermost series lie on a diameter line passing through the center point. The outermost and intermediate series of bristle tufts may be arranged in oval-shaped rings and the bristle tufts of the inner series may have a circular arrangement. All of the tufts preferably have the same height and diameter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/769,667, filed Feb. 18, 2013, which application claims priority fromU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/739,937, filed Dec. 20, 2012,the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to toothbrushes, and more particularly, tothe brush head for an electric toothbrush. More particularly, theinvention relates to a unique arrangement of tuft bristles which aremounted on and extend upwardly from a support structure of the brushhead.

2. Background Information

Electric toothbrushes consist generally of a handle containing anelectric motor and a battery supply for the motor for driving a brushhead mounted at the end of a tube attached to the handle. The brush headis usually moved in a rotating oscillating type motion by a drive shaftextending from the motor through the connecting tube. This moves thebristle tufts alone or in combination with flexible elastomeric strips,to provide a cleaning action to a user's teeth and gums. A considerablenumber of bristle tuft and elastic strip arrangements have been used onprior art brush heads, all of which are intended to provide varioustypes of cleaning action to the teeth. Some examples of prior artbristle tuft arrangements for brush heads for electric toothbrushes areshown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,416,942; 5,467,495; 5,625,916; 5,652,990;6,021,538; 6,665,901; 7,698,771; 7,934,284; 7,941,886 and 7,958,589. Allof these prior art brush head bristle tuft arrangements are intended toprovide some type of desired cleaning action to the teeth, many of whichprovide the desired sought after effect. Some of these prior art bristletufts arrangements attempt to achieve their intended result by thevarious configurations of the bristle tufts as well as the type ofmaterials together with specific heights and diameters of the bristletufts.

The present invention provides a unique bristle tuft arrangement whichis simple and economical to manufacture and which is believed to providea quality cleaning action when used in a rotary oscillating manner onthe end of an electric driven toothbrush.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide for a relativelysimple but effective brush head for cleaning teeth adapted to be mountedon the end of an electric toothbrush. The brush head has three series ofbristle tufts each of which is a ring-shaped series of bristle tuftsarranged concentrically with respect to each other and about a centerpoint of a brush head support surface on which the bristles are mountedand extend therefrom. The outer ring or series of bristle tuftspreferably has a generally oval-shaped arrangement and comprises 16equally circumferentially spaced bristle tufts. An intermediate ring orseries of bristle tufts preferably has a generally oval-shapedarrangement and consists of six bristle tufts, wherein an inner seriesof bristle tufts forms a generally circular inner ring consisting of sixbristle tufts equally circumferentially spaced with respect to eachother as are the individual bristle tufts of the outer and intermediatering-shaped series of bristle tufts. A single bristle tuft preferably islocated at the center point of the support surface of the brush head.All of the bristle tufts of the three series and center bristle tuftpreferably are of equal length and diameter greatly facilitating themanufacture and economy of the brush head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated of the best mode inwhich Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth inthe following description and is shown in the drawings and isparticularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appendedclaims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a usual type of electric toothbrushhaving the brush head of the present invention mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged front elevational view of the brush head ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the generally oval-shaped support surfaceof the brush head of the present invention with the major and minor axesindicated thereon.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the outer series of bristletufts forming a generally oval-shaped ring with three distance linesbeing shown thereon.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the intermediate series ofbristle tufts forming a generally oval-shaped ring with three distancelines being shown thereon.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the inner series ofbristle tufts forming a circular-shaped ring with three distance linesbeing shown thereon.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 3-6 showing a plurality of diameterlines extending through the three series of bristle tufts.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The toothbrush of the present invention is indicated generally at 1, andis shown in FIG. 1. Toothbrush 1 is of usual construction consisting ofa handle 2 which contains an electric motor powered by a battery andwhich is connected to the brush head 3 by a tube 4 through which adriveshaft connects the internal motor with a gear mechanism forrotationally oscillating the brush head 3. The particular internalarrangement of the motor, battery and connecting driveshaft and gearmechanism can vary but is well known in the art. Some examples are shownin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,467,495; 5,499,420; 6,195,828; 5,867,856; 5,577,285and 5,289,604.

The particular configuration of the handle, drive motor, connectingshaft and support tube shown in FIG. 1 is merely one example of the typeof electric toothbrush structure which can be utilized in supporting androtating brush head 3 of the present invention. Preferably, brush head 3will be rotated in an oscillating alternating rotary motion to providethe desired cleaning effect but could have other motion withouteffecting the invention.

Brush head 3 is shown in further detail in FIG. 2 and includes a supportmember 5 which is connected to the extended end 7 of tube 4 and has anouter generally planar support surface 9 from which a plurality ofbristle tufts indicated generally at 11 extend outwardly therefrom in agenerally perpendicular relationship with respect to surface 9. Inaccordance with one of the features of the invention, each of thebristle tufts 11 is formed of a plurality of bristles which can be madeof various types of filament materials and assembled and embedded insupport member 5 in a manner well known in the toothbrush cleaning art.The bristles which form the tufts have the same length as shown in FIG.2, and when assembled have the same tuft diameter best shown in FIGS.4-7. This uniformity of the bristle tufts provides for a moreeconomically produced brush head than varying the height, size andmaterial of the bristle tufts as done in many prior art bristle tufts.

The unique arrangement of the bristle tufts is shown particularly inFIGS. 3-7. Support surface 9 (FIG. 3) preferably has a slightlyoval-shaped configuration having a major axis 13 and a minor axis 15which intersect at a center point 17. The unique bristle tuftarrangement consists of three series of bristle tufts with a first orouter series indicated generally at 19, an intermediate or second series21, and an inner or third series indicated generally at 23.

Outer series 19 (FIG. 4) has 16 equally circumferentially spaced bristletufts, each of which is indicated as 25, which are the same as bristletufts 11 shown in FIG. 2. Bristle tufts 25 are arranged on and form animaginary outer ring indicated at 27 which preferably has a slightlyoval shape as discussed above coinciding with major axis 13 and minoraxis 15. This ring 27 of bristle tufts 25 is illustrated with threelength or distance lines in FIG. 4, wherein line D1 will be slightlylarger than line D2, and with line D3 having a distance inbetween thatof D1 and D2. The remaining tufts 25 will be similarly spaced throughoutring 27. These three distance lines illustrate the preferable slightoval-shaped ring that is formed by the series of tufts 25. As shown inFIG. 4, none of the bristle tufts 25 lie on either of the major andminor axes 13 and 15.

The details of the second or intermediate series of bristle tufts isshown in FIG. 5 and consists of six bristle tufts, each of which isindicated as 29, which again are similar to bristle tufts 11 and 25discussed above. The six bristle tufts 29 are equally circumferentiallyspaced and arranged to form an imaginary intermediate ring 31 whichpreferably has a slightly oval shape lying concentrically within outerring 27 and coinciding with major and minor axes 13 and 15. Thisslightly oval-shaped configuration of imaginary ring 31 formed bybristle tufts 29 is shown by a plurality of length or distance lines D4,D5 and D6. Distance line D4 will be slightly longer than distance lineD5, and will be generally equal to distance line D6, again illustratingthe slight oval shape of the imaginary ring 31 formed by theintermediate series 21 of six bristle tufts.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the six bristle tufts 29 are equallycircumferentially spaced with respect to each other with two of thebristle tufts lying on minor axis 15 and with none of the other fourbristle tufts lying on any of the axes 13 or 15.

However, the bristle tufts forming outer ring 27 and intermediate ring31 can have circular arrangements instead of slightly oval-shapedarrangements without affecting the concept of the present invention.

The inner or third series 23 of bristle tufts lie on and form animaginary circle indicated at 33, and consists of six equallycircumferentially spaced bristle tufts 35, which again are similar tobristle tufts 11, 25 and 29 as discussed above. The six bristle tufts 35which are arranged along imaginary circle 33 in contrast to thepreferably slightly oval shape of imaginary rings 27 and 31. This isshown by distance lines D7, D8 and D9 which are equal in length. Asshown in FIG. 6, the six bristle tufts of the inner series 23 which formimaginary circle 33, are concentric with respect to imaginary rings 27and 31 and have the center point 17 as the center of the circle. Two ofthe bristle tufts 35 are located along the major axis 13 equally spacedon opposite sides of center point 17, with none of the remaining fourtufts being located on either of the axes 13 or 15. Furthermore, FIG. 6shows that each of the bristle tufts 35 of inner series 23 is locatedintermediate a pair of bristle tufts 29 of intermediate series 21.

FIG. 7 shows another feature of the unique arrangement of bristle tufts.Twelve diameter lines 38 are used as examples, each of which is spaced30 degrees with respect to the adjacent ones, extend through the centerpoint 17. These diameter lines 38 or any other diameter line, will passthrough no more than two of the bristle tufts of either the inner orintermediate series of bristle tufts. Thus, a diameter line will passthrough only two of either the intermediate ring or inner ring ofbristle tufts and may or may not pass through none or two of the bristletufts of outer ring 27.

Thus, FIG. 7 shows the unique arrangement of the bristle tufts which arearranged in imaginary three rings formed by series of bristle tufts withthe outer series 19 preferably having sixteen equally spaced tufts, noneof which lie on either of the major or minor axes when arranged in aslightly oval shape, with the intermediate series 21 preferablyconsisting of six bristle tufts spaced equally circumferentially withrespect to each other, and with the inner series 23 of bristle tufts 35preferably having six bristle tufts and forming a generally circularconfiguration about center point 17, with each of the individual tufts35 being located between outer pairs of bristle tufts 29 and with two ofthe bristle tufts 35 of the inner series lying on major axis 13.Preferably a single bristle tuft 40 is located at center point 17 as isthe same construction as the bristle tufts 25, 29 and 35 of series 19,21 and 23, respectively.

It is readily understood that support surface 9 could be circular withouter series 19 and intermediate series 21 being arranged in a circularor slightly oval configuration without appreciably affecting the conceptof the present invention. The most important feature of the presentinvention is the unique arrangement of the bristle tufts in the threeseries of bristle tufts and their arrangement about center point 17 withor without center bristle tuft 40 and their arrangement with respect toany diameter passing through the center point of the support structure.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is anexample and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown ordescribed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A brush head of a power-driven toothbrushcomprising: a support structure; a plurality of bristle tufts attachedto the support structure and extending upwardly therefrom, saidplurality of bristle tufts including: a first series of bristle tuftsforming an outer ring of bristle tufts having major and minor axes; asecond series of bristle tufts forming an intermediate ring of bristletufts; a third series of bristle tufts forming an inner ring of bristletufts; wherein said first, second and third series of bristle tufts arelocated generally concentrically with respect to each other and about acenter point of the support structure; wherein the second and thirdseries of bristle tufts have equal numbers of bristle tufts with thesecond and third series of bristles tufts each including only sixbristle tufts; wherein each of the bristle tufts of the third series islocated between a pair of bristle tufts of the second series; andwherein two of the bristle tufts of the third series of bristle tuftslie on the major axis and none of the remaining four bristle tufts lieon the minor axis.
 2. The brush head as defined in claim 1 wherein allof the bristle tufts have the same length and diameter.
 3. The brushhead as defined in claim 1 including a center bristle tuft located onthe center point of the brush head.
 4. The brush head as defined inclaim 3 wherein the center bristle tuft has the same length and diameteras the bristle tufts of the first, second and third series of bristletufts.
 5. The brush head as defined in claim 1 wherein a diameter linepassing through the center point of the brush head never passes throughbristle tufts of the outer rings of bristle tufts.
 6. The brush head asdefined in claim 1 wherein a center bristle is located on the centerpoint of the brush head; and wherein the inner ring of bristle tufts hasa circular configuration concentric about the center point of the brushhead.
 7. The brush head as defined in claim 1 wherein all of the bristletufts are similar to each other having the same height and diameter. 8.The brush head as defined in claim 1 wherein no bristle tufts of theintermediate ring of bristle tufts lies on a diameter line passingthrough the center point of the brush head and a bristle tuft of theinner ring of bristle tufts.
 9. The brush head as defined in claim 1wherein the first series of bristle tufts has sixteen bristle tufts. 10.The brush head as defined in claim 1 wherein a center bristle is locatedon the center point of the support structure; and wherein the thirdseries of bristle tufts has a circular configuration concentric aboutthe center point of the support structure.
 11. The brush head as definedin claim 1 wherein a diameter line passing through the center point ofthe support structure passes through bristle tufts of only one of thesecond and third series of bristle tufts.